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Player Interview: Ulster Rugby Lad meets… Luke Marshall

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Images from UlsterRugbyLad
Peter Lockhart from UlsterRugbyLad recently sat down with Ulster & Ireland Centre, Luke Marshall.

‘You’ve got to be realistic. When you play rugby, your career can end at anytime’

Ulster fan favourite, Luke Marshall certainly hit the ground running on his return from long-term injury this season.

The dynamic centre has faced no shortage of challenges in his career – from his well-documented series of concussions to a torn ACL in the last game of the 2017-2018 season.

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Marshall made his return to action as a replacement for Darren Cave in Ulster’s pulsating 21-18 European quarter-final defeat in Dublin. Two minutes after coming onto the field Marshall bulldozed his way over the whitewash.

His impressive impact at the tail-end of Ulster’s season was due in no small part to Marshall’s resilience – apart from the usual rehab, Marshall dedicated himself to improving his skills and doing everything possible to return to match action as sharp as possible.

Here, Ulster’s inspirational fan favourite, Luke Marshall, chats to Ulster Rugby Lad about what made him the player he has become.

Who or what made you passionate about rugby?

My dad and my two brothers played rugby before me so it was in the family and my dad also coached. I suppose I really just wanted to follow in their footsteps.

Who was your biggest influence growing up (both in rugby and outside rugby)?

Again, my family and more specifically my dad. They were always so supportive and they gave me a lot of the inspiration needed to pursue a career in rugby.

When did you first think you had a chance of making it as a professional rugby player?

Probably not really until I got into the Ulster Academy, up to that point I thought it was just an unrealistic pipe dream!

What is the best advice you have been given?

Hard work beats talent.

What would you tell your 17-year-old self?

Work harder in school.

What would you be doing if you didn’t play for Ulster?

I don’t even want to think about that!

What’s the best and worst thing about being a professional rugby player?

Getting paid to do your favourite hobby is the best thing. The worst thing is how sore your body is after a game.

Career highlight/lowlight?

My highlight was winning the Ballyclare mini rugby tournament when I was in p5.

My low point was missing the last kick of the game to lose against Methody in the schools cup semi-final.

When you think of the word ‘successful’ who’s the first person who comes to mind and why?

Tiger Woods – he absolutely dominated his sport and totally changed the game.

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What is something you believe that other people would find strange or disagree with?

I prefer dogs to people.

What is your favourite documentary or movie?

Would have to be Braveheart or Gladiator.

What do the first 60 minutes of your day look like? Any daily rituals?

Spending time with my dogs and maybe having a cup of coffee to get me going.

What obsessions do you explore in your free time?

Walking my dogs and trying to find new places to walk them.

What topic would you speak about if you were asked to give a TED talk on something outside of rugby?

Animals.

What is the best/ most worthwhile purchase/investment you’ve made?

My boat.

Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?

Everything happens for a reason.

What is the worst advice you see or hear being dispensed in the rugby world?

Never believe what is said about you whether good or bad.

How has a failure, or apparent failure set you up for a later success?

All of my injuries have led to something better and have made a stronger as an individual.

What have you changed your mind about in the past few years? Why?

Letting my wife do work to the house, she has finally got her way!

What are your plans post rugby?

Hopefully moving out to the countryside and leading a more quiet existent with a steady job.

Thanks Luke!

Images & Content from Ulster Rugby Lad


URC

Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Cardiff At Thomond

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The Munster squad are preparing at the HPC ahead of Saturday night’s URC Round 13 clash against Cardiff at Thomond Park.

The game kicks off at 7.35pm with tickets from €20 available here.

In player news, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash and Peter O’Mahony have all returned to the HPC after helping Ireland to the 6 Nations title.

On the injury front, Academy back-row forward Ruadhán Quinn suffered a hand injury against Ospreys on Friday night and will be sidelined for a number of weeks.

Oli Jager and Fineen Wycherley have started their rehab following minor procedures for respective knee injuries.

Alex Nankivell is completing the RTP protocols and his availability will be determined later this week.

Simon Zebo was unavailable for the Ospreys game due to a low-grade hip injury and is due to return to training this week.

Continuing to rehab: Dave Kilcoyne (shoulder), Diarmuid Barron (foot), Roman Salanoa (knee), Jean Kleyn (knee/eye), Paddy Patterson (knee), Liam Coombes (shoulder), Patrick Campbell (shoulder).

There were 15 Munster players in AIL action at the weekend.

In Division 1A, Fionn Gibbons and Chris Moore helped Young Munster beat Dublin University with Gibbons among the tries.

Mark Donnelly lined out for Cork Constitution as they were beaten by Terenure College.

Kieran Ryan, Darragh McSweeney and Daniel Okeke couldn’t prevent Shannon falling to a defeat to City of Armagh.

In Division 1B, Colm Hogan, Jack Oliver, George Hadden, Max Clein, Cian Hurley and Jack Daly helped Garryowen to a win over Queen’s University. Hogan, Clein and Cronin were among the tries with Oliver kicking a conversion.

Scott Buckley and Andrew O’Mahony were in action for UCC as they lost to St Mary’s College.

Tickets

URC Round 13: Saturday, March 30

Munster v Cardiff Rugby, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

Women’s 6 Nations Round 3: Saturday, April 13

Ireland v Wales, Virgin Media Park, 4.45pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 16: Saturday, May 11

Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 18: Saturday, June 1

Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

Images & Content from Munster Rugby


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URC

Squad Update | Preparations Continue For Ospreys

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The Munster squad are continuing preparations ahead of Friday night’s URC Round 12 clash against Ospreys in Swansea (7.35pm).

On the injury front, there is good news for John Hodnett (finger), Jack O’Donoghue (knee) and Simon Zebo (knee) as they all return to training this week.

Oli Jager (knee) and Fineen Wycherley (knee) are both due to see specialists this week for possible surgery.

Alex Nankivell is following the return to play protocols following a head injury in training last week.

On the international front, Craig Casey and Jeremy Loughman have returned to the squad after Ireland’s 6 Nations triumph at the weekend.

Continuing to rehab: Dave Kilcoyne (shoulder), Diarmuid Barron (foot), Roman Salanoa (knee), Jean Kleyn (knee/eye), Paddy Patterson (knee), Liam Coombes (shoulder), Patrick Campbell (shoulder).

Tickets

URC Round 13: Saturday, March 30

Munster v Cardiff Rugby, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

Women’s 6 Nations Round 3: Saturday, April 13

Ireland v Wales, Virgin Media Park, 4.45pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 16: Saturday, May 11

Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 18: Saturday, June 1

Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

Images & Content from Munster Rugby


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URC

British & Irish Lion to join Glasgow Warriors

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Sutherland to join Glasgow Warriors

Glasgow Warriors can confirm that Scotland prop Rory Sutherland will join the club this summer.

The British and Irish Lion joins the Scotstoun-outfit from French side Oyonnax, making the move to Scotstoun on a two-year deal as Franco Smith’s squad continues to take shape.

The confirmation of the loose-head prop’s move to Glasgow also comes on the eve of his involvement in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland in Dublin, where he is in contention to win his 30th cap for Scotland, part of the match day squad.

The 31-year-old Sutherland will bring a dynamic ball-carrying presence to the Warriors in addition to a solid platform at the set-piece.

After making his debut for Edinburgh in 2014, the prop went on to make 91 appearances in the capital before a summer switch to Worcester Warriors in 2021.

A short-term stint with Ulster followed after Worcester’s demise in 2022, running out on 12 occasions for the Irish province.

Sutherland’s form for Scotland across the 2020 and 2021 campaigns saw him selected for the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, joining future Glasgow team-mate Zander Fagerson amongst the front-row options.

He became the first Scottish prop to represent the invitational squad since the late Tom Smith when selected for the first Test, playing just under an hour in the 22-17 victory over the Springboks.

Sutherland said: “The past couple of years have been tough since I had to leave Worcester. I’ve been at a few clubs and I haven’t had the consistency I’d have liked in my game. This move to Glasgow, and back to Scotland, offers me the chance to work on getting that back into my rugby.

“Glasgow is a really successful team, so to be offered the chance to come to Scotstoun is attractive for any player. For me, it allows me to come back home, and be closer to my family, which will work wonders for me.

“I’ve gotten close to some of the Glasgow players while in camp with Scotland and they talk highly of Franco and the culture in the club. I’m looking forward to that and getting back to the homeland!”

Head Coach Smith added: “We are pleased to be able to add a prop of Rory’s calibre to our squad ahead of next season.

“His qualities will make him a real asset to our playing group, as we continue to develop our strength in every position.

“We look forward to seeing him in action at Scotstoun over the next couple of seasons and we know that the Warrior Nation will welcome him to our club.”

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